3 Real Madrid players who must step up with Gareth Bale injured

LW/AM Eden Hazard

I list two positions in front of Eden Hazard, because he is transitioning into a more central playmaker. Carlo Ancelotti has quickly recognized that Hazard does not have the speed or stamina to play on the wing anymore, and it is not as if Hazard has been a real goal-scorer since joining Real Madrid. Even when he is on the pitch, his goals are infrequent, though he has scored a couple of excellent ones, such as against Huesca and Deportivo Alaves last season.

The Belgian superstar was fantastic in the goal-fest against Celta Vigo. He played a key role in setting up the goals for Real Madrid, even if he did not score any himself. At the end of the game, the No. 7 had four fouls drawn, per WhoScored.com. Note that he had multiple key passes in his first two starts of the campaign, too, including an assist in the 4-1 opener at Alaves.

Hazard can start on the right-hand side or in a central role as a 10. On the right, he would be a part of an unbalanced formation, tucking inside behind Karim Benzema in a free-floating role, with someone like Fede Valverde and Luka Modric providing right back Dani Carvajal with that supporting width in attack.

So with Gareth Bale injured, Hazard is a clear first-choice starter for Ancelotti in these areas of the pitch. And as much as Hazard is a provider at this stage, I am sure the Real Madrid manager would like to see some more scoring intent from the Belgian. For example, he let a clear shooting opportunity go early in the match against Celta. Ancelotti would surely like to see more scoring intent from Hazard to help support Vini and Benz in that department.